Intelligent Demand Side Management for Electric Grids

The development of demand limiting technologies and dispatch algorithms is critical for efficient operation of both tactical and commercial power grids equipped with distributed generation sources. The objective of this research project is to create a final design, build and test a prototype software/hardware system with prioritized load shedding and dispatch capability for tactical or islanded commercial power grids. Phase I work quantified mission impact due to power and energy load shedding as well as fuel consumption reduction potential maintenance and emissions. The work completed in Phase I identified key issues such as communication between hardware, software and required protocols, computational power requirements and information exchange between platforms, software algorithms and optimization techniques, hardware sizing, use of commercial of the shelf equipment, safety codes and standards and power monitoring requirements.